1
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
she listened with deep affliction as her daughter told her about the latest trouble she was in
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2
as in sorrow
deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved
felt such great affliction over the destruction of the beautiful old home
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3
as in curse
a source of harm or misfortune
alcohol has been his affliction ever since he took his first drink at the age of 12
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4
5
as in injury
something that causes loss or pain
cronyism and corruption are afflictions on the body politic
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affliction
An account believed to be his on an online forum called Tapatalk posted about the affliction between 2009 and 2012, and a high school friend of Kohberger’s also confirmed his condition, the Statesman previously reported.
—
Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Feb. 2025
Through the observations of the Tyrer children and interviews with CTE experts and a doctor treating Tyrer in his final days, among many others, Allen illuminated Tyrer’s affliction and substantially advanced the increasing view that CTE was at play.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025
The diary entries that constitute this book, dictated from hospital beds in Rome and London, offer an unflinching look at Kureishi’s affliction.
—The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Among multiple other afflictions Levine expects are vitamin deficiencies, starvation, dramatic weight loss, vision problems due to a lack of sunlight, broken bones, cognitive impairment and mental health trauma.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Feb. 2025
Through the observations of the Tyrer children and interviews with CTE experts and a doctor treating Tyrer in his final days, among many others, Allen illuminated Tyrer’s affliction and substantially advanced the increasing view that CTE was at play.
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025
The diary entries that constitute this book, dictated from hospital beds in Rome and London, offer an unflinching look at Kureishi’s affliction.
—The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
Among multiple other afflictions Levine expects are vitamin deficiencies, starvation, dramatic weight loss, vision problems due to a lack of sunlight, broken bones, cognitive impairment and mental health trauma.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affliction
Noun
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At the Santa Monica test location after the rains, the level of beryllium — a metal that is toxic to fish and corals and causes respiratory distress in humans — was more than 10 times the maximum limit allowed.—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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The result: Some doctors and hospitals have held back on treatments, waiting for the fetal heartbeat to stop or for patients to wind up in undeniable distress.—
Kavitha Surana,
ProPublica,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The book, which spans the twenty-odd years of Mii’s life, describes the daily joys and intimacies of having a pet, the difficulties that come with an aging cat, and the sorrows of outliving one’s animal companion.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
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Tomorrow is the day this profound sorrow renews my motivation.—
Bluesky Social,
Bluesky Social,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Growing up, that identity crisis used to feel like such a curse for me.—
Becky G,
Billboard,
27 Mar. 2025
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One important lesson from the movies is that curses are made to be broken.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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With the playoffs around the corner, New York could have slayed the proverbial dragon, shaken off its demons and walked into the playoffs believing.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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There are extravagant rock concerts, evil giant babies, fiery demons, and of course, the odd robot as well.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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For the second year in a row, Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk will be sidelined due to injury as his team tries to secure a spot in the NBA playoffs.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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However, in just his third game of the season following a return from the IL due to a right hamstring injury, Tauchman re-injured his leg.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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According to the outlet, the agony caused Cornett to remove her name outside her dorm room, temporarily relocate to emergency housing, switch to online classes and continue to spend most of her time in her room.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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With espresso especially, the right grinder can be the difference between ecstasy, agony, and simple defeat.—
Matthew Korfhage,
Wired News,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In the episode, Duran describes his mental anguish during that time and some of the steps he’s taken since then to improve his mental health.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
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And all of that anguish of going through that process of retrying to develop my body in a way that will never be the same anyway.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Two Manhattan lawmakers are advancing legislation to try to block mayoral front-runner Andrew Cuomo from using taxpayer dollars to bring another lawsuit against his longtime political nemesis, New York Attorney General Letitia James.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2025
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Others study the human capacity for starting over; even Matt’s nemesis, the crime boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), is attempting to forge a new path as New York City’s mayor.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affliction. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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